Giants LBers are still a weak unit. If Beason's injuries keep him off the field or reduce his effectiveness, the unit will be really bad imo. With a healthy Beason, they will be OK. But not a strength.
isnt Beason on the PUP and McClain was carted off already? both guys have had injuries in the past and is part of the questions about them.
are we really counting on a 5th round rookie LB? Tom coughlin still is the head coach right? He isnt exactly known for playing rookies. we are like a week into camp, not even a preseason game. Damontre dominated his first preseason game and barely took the field last year and we were basically eliminated half way through the year.
this piece, as much as i would like to believe it, seems like high school homerism at this point.
from Carolina. Our Linebacking corps has been so weak under Rease that it naturally makes Beason look like Superman. Mcclain was let go also. Now this guy is touting Pasinger and Williams as a " strength ", when they have been weaknesses these past years. It's no wonder a fifth round pick like Kennard looks like some kind of savior.
from Carolina. Our Linebacking corps has been so weak under Rease that it naturally makes Beason look like Superman. Mcclain was let go also. Now this guy is touting Pasinger and Williams as a " strength ", when they have been weaknesses these past years. It's no wonder a fifth round pick like Kennard looks like some kind of savior.
We traded for Beason. Carolina didn't "LET GO" of him. We barely gave up anything to get him but he played well.
from Carolina. Our Linebacking corps has been so weak under Rease that it naturally makes Beason look like Superman. Mcclain was let go also. Now this guy is touting Pasinger and Williams as a " strength ", when they have been weaknesses these past years. It's no wonder a fifth round pick like Kennard looks like some kind of savior.
So that isn't accurate. What really happened is we traded a late round pick for him after Carolina changed there scheme and moved him from the Mike position.
isnt Beason on the PUP and McClain was carted off already? both guys have had injuries in the past and is part of the questions about them.
are we really counting on a 5th round rookie LB? Tom coughlin still is the head coach right? He isnt exactly known for playing rookies. we are like a week into camp, not even a preseason game. Damontre dominated his first preseason game and barely took the field last year and we were basically eliminated half way through the year.
this piece, as much as i would like to believe it, seems like high school homerism at this point.
Beason is on track to be ready for the season opener. He might even play in a preseason game. McClain is fine, oh, and he's been impressed with the 5th round rookie.
Coughlin plays plenty of rookies, although they may not start at first. Moore nursed a shoulder injury all through last year, but by all accounts he's healthy and has been working hard this offseason. Go listen to what Cullen Jenkins said about him today.
The article may sound like homerism to you, and maybe it is, but your post smacks of snarky, unwarranted pessimism. I'll take homerism any day and twice on Sundays.
Beason was worth a 7th round pick. For all intents and purposes he was let go. Carolina thought he was too injury prone also.
He was no longer in their plans because they changed their system. Adding in the injury concerns and yes, we got him for almost nothing, but he wasn't let go. A pick is still a pick, and the gamble was always worth taking. He came it right away and stepped up last year, no reason to expect he won't do that again regardless of PT in camp or preseason. If anything it gives valuable PT to a fringe player and beef up the reserves.
Beason is solid, standing out in comparison to the shit we've marched out lately. McClain is decidedly average. Kennard hasn't played a game and is a 5th round pick.
One linebacker capable of bumping Gary Reasons off the starting lb crew of the mid 80s. And no one close to as good as the other 3 starters back then, lol.
I don't pay much attention during time of the year, but why is Kennard getting all of this hype? Because he's a starter on the depth chart? Look at the guys he's ahead of. He's pretty much the skinniest kid at fat camp right now. It's a really bad group.
I'm not trying to be negative, maybe I'm missing something. Has he been lighting up practices or something that I just don't know about?
and it is a good question to ask why he's getting all of this hype. I'm more speaking about the specific clippings from the coaches, the way they are talking about him seems to show that he's standing out in the film sessions and all of the offseason activities. Lord knows that we haven't found a gem in the late rounds for quite some time.
AGF, come on, now. Don't you realize how lame that sounds?
but what else can we do until the season starts? Poo pooing eveything is easy. I more than most take these reports with a grain of salt but I'm not going to act like I'm a professional and try to prove this this team wrong.
We haven't had hype at the LB position in years which leads me to believe some of these reports are legit. I'll remain hopeful and positive, no reason not to.
I didn't ask why people want to see him play. That much is obvious. I'm just genuinely curious why he's getting this type of hype. We go through every offseason where the rookies get praised; that isn't new. This is also a rare case where the rookie gets first team reps, but that can definitely be attributed to an incredibly weak group.
I know I'm coming off as glass half-empty, but I just wanted to know if people were excited from the coach's interviews or him making plays in practice. Apparently from that Connor tweet it's a mixture of both, which is great news. I hope the kid is an All Pro for the next decade. I just wasn't sure if this was media/coach hype or actual warranted making plays hype.
No but he did produce his senior year "Deployed as an outside linebacker in defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast's 3-4 scheme in 2013, when he started all 14 games and had 60 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks with four pass breakups."
He gets to the right spot quickly and blows people up when he gets there. His strength has been mentioned several times, and he's already shown the versatility he displayed in college. He's drawn praise from his coaches, and from Jameel McClain, who said that he normally doesn't talk about rookies like this, but Kennard has really impressed him. Sure, his competition is weak. So what? Shouldn't the idea be to upgrade from the Spencer Paysingers, Mark Herzlichs, and Keith Rivers' of the world?
makes the bottom of the roster guys better than expected in May, and Beason's return gives the unit as a whole the chance to be better than average in the NFL. McClain takes over for the ex-Bengal, whats-his-name.
Kawika Mitchell, Boley, that fast kid from Detroit and Carlos Emmons(?-memory fading) are in some ways similar veteran LBs we've brought in and given a chance during Coughlin's tenure. Maybe not the most impressive group when you first look at it, but Boley and Mitchell both contributed to Super Bowl Runs.
Believe me, I want the kid to succeed as much as anybody. David in LA said it best, it's been too long since we hit on a late round gem. Couple that with the fact that we haven't had good LB play for far too long and this turns into any Giant fans wet dream.
I just wasn't sure if this was the beat reporters getting a hard on for Kennard because of what TC said of him, or if he was actually performing at a high level in camp. I haven't paid attention to the camp tweets as of late, but I do remember the media jumping hard on the bandwagon once TC gave him praise. As I've said though, from the Connor tweet it seems like the praise is warranted. Appreciate you giving your take on his performance thus far as well.
The idea should absolutely be to upgrade Paysinger, Herzlich, and Rivers. But at first glance I just don't think him surpassing them says all that much. In a perfect world all 3 of those guys should be special teamers.
Not a single one of the naysayers appears to have actually read Schwartz's article closely enough to refute it effectively.
OF COURSE Williams and Paysinger were mediocre in college, or they wouldn't have been a late round pick and UDFA, respectively. OF COURSE Beason was just so-so at Carolina, or we wouldn't have gotten him for a seventh round pick. OF COURSE McClain comes over with questions attached to him. OF COURSE Kennard is a mid-round pick with lots to prove.
What Schwartz is saying is that based upon his observations in his role as a long-time football sportswriter and frequent critic of the Giants personnel:
1) Beason proved himself as the real deal; the idea the he looked good because everyone else was awful is utter nonsense;
2) McClain has looked strong enough in practices so far to be a full-time starter (he was back in one day after the foot injury--holy overreactions, Batman);
3) In HIS VIEW Paysinger and Williams are performing like solid, experienced professionals, with Paysinger having grown into a full-blown linebacker's body, which he didn't have when he joined the team;
4) IN HIS VIEW Kennard has had a very strong start to his first training camp; and
5) When you put all of that together, you have the makings of a strong aggregate LB squad for the first time in many years.
Don't agree? Fine. However "no they don't" doesn't come across as a strong, insightful rebuttal. Or even a rebuttal.
Not a single one of the naysayers appears to have actually read Schwartz's article closely enough to refute it effectively.
OF COURSE Williams and Paysinger were mediocre in college, or they wouldn't have been a late round pick and UDFA, respectively. OF COURSE Beason was just so-so at Carolina, or we wouldn't have gotten him for a seventh round pick. OF COURSE McClain comes over with questions attached to him. OF COURSE Kennard is a mid-round pick with lots to prove.
What Schwartz is saying is that based upon his observations in his role as a long-time football sportswriter and frequent critic of the Giants personnel:
1) Beason proved himself as the real deal; the idea the he looked good because everyone else was awful is utter nonsense;
2) McClain has looked strong enough in practices so far to be a full-time starter (he was back in one day after the foot injury--holy overreactions, Batman);
3) In HIS VIEW Paysinger and Williams are performing like solid, experienced professionals, with Paysinger having grown into a full-blown linebacker's body, which he didn't have when he joined the team;
4) IN HIS VIEW Kennard has had a very strong start to his first training camp; and
5) When you put all of that together, you have the makings of a strong aggregate LB squad for the first time in many years.
Don't agree? Fine. However "no they don't" doesn't come across as a strong, insightful rebuttal. Or even a rebuttal.
Eh. I believe in a healthy Jacquian Williams. Always been a big fan of his, so I'll buy that. But as of now, McClain is a below average starter. The tape on McClain's performance last year is out there, and it ain't pretty. There's rumblings that he was battling injuries, but still. I won't comment on Kennard because I've literally never seen him play a snap of football in my life.
If Schwartz said something like "LB position no longer the weak link" I wouldn't care to argue that. But it's rather egregious to call this squad, at this point in time, a strength. It simply is not even close to a strength.
This comes off more as him trying to hit his quota for the week of dishing out articles rather than him genuinely believing this unit is a strength.
Kind of doubt our LBs all of the sudden became more talented. Staying healthy would sure help them lock down mediocre status. From there they can work on becoming a playmaking group.
with Beason sidelined and unlikely to get a rep in camp...
Giants LBers are still a weak unit. If Beason's injuries keep him off the field or reduce his effectiveness, the unit will be really bad imo. With a healthy Beason, they will be OK. But not a strength.
McClain locking down another spot, and maybe a spark from the rookie Kennard creates a nice dynamic.
Williams and Paysinger are no longer young guys and should be more instinctive at this point too. I wish these guys could blitz better though.
Keeping Herzlich off the field probably helps.
The rest are backups in the NFL at this stage, though I do like Paysinger when he reads action properly and plays decisively.
are we really counting on a 5th round rookie LB? Tom coughlin still is the head coach right? He isnt exactly known for playing rookies. we are like a week into camp, not even a preseason game. Damontre dominated his first preseason game and barely took the field last year and we were basically eliminated half way through the year.
this piece, as much as i would like to believe it, seems like high school homerism at this point.
We traded for Beason. Carolina didn't "LET GO" of him. We barely gave up anything to get him but he played well.
And who is Rease? And Pasinger?
So that isn't accurate. What really happened is we traded a late round pick for him after Carolina changed there scheme and moved him from the Mike position.
are we really counting on a 5th round rookie LB? Tom coughlin still is the head coach right? He isnt exactly known for playing rookies. we are like a week into camp, not even a preseason game. Damontre dominated his first preseason game and barely took the field last year and we were basically eliminated half way through the year.
this piece, as much as i would like to believe it, seems like high school homerism at this point.
Beason is on track to be ready for the season opener. He might even play in a preseason game. McClain is fine, oh, and he's been impressed with the 5th round rookie.
Coughlin plays plenty of rookies, although they may not start at first. Moore nursed a shoulder injury all through last year, but by all accounts he's healthy and has been working hard this offseason. Go listen to what Cullen Jenkins said about him today.
The article may sound like homerism to you, and maybe it is, but your post smacks of snarky, unwarranted pessimism. I'll take homerism any day and twice on Sundays.
He was no longer in their plans because they changed their system. Adding in the injury concerns and yes, we got him for almost nothing, but he wasn't let go. A pick is still a pick, and the gamble was always worth taking. He came it right away and stepped up last year, no reason to expect he won't do that again regardless of PT in camp or preseason. If anything it gives valuable PT to a fringe player and beef up the reserves.
McClain has the aptitude and the attitude, not so sure about the athleticism.
Williams - good re: pass unsure if he can upgrade his run defense.
Paysinger - He may be as good as he is going to get.
Kennard is a rookie and unproven.
Too much uncertainty and unproven ability. But there's hope.
And the one really good one is on PUP.
THAT'S a sell, not a buy.
Who's going crazy? Schwartz, who's saying the LB position is becoming a strength. If you don't think that's crazy, then I don't know what to tell you.
I'm not trying to be negative, maybe I'm missing something. Has he been lighting up practices or something that I just don't know about?
We haven't had hype at the LB position in years which leads me to believe some of these reports are legit. I'll remain hopeful and positive, no reason not to.
Matthews did start as a senior
As for Smith not being a stand out at USC...I suggest you look up the numbers
I know I'm coming off as glass half-empty, but I just wanted to know if people were excited from the coach's interviews or him making plays in practice. Apparently from that Connor tweet it's a mixture of both, which is great news. I hope the kid is an All Pro for the next decade. I just wasn't sure if this was media/coach hype or actual warranted making plays hype.
No but he did produce his senior year "Deployed as an outside linebacker in defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast's 3-4 scheme in 2013, when he started all 14 games and had 60 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks with four pass breakups."
Looking for a repeat of those numbers this year :)
Kawika Mitchell, Boley, that fast kid from Detroit and Carlos Emmons(?-memory fading) are in some ways similar veteran LBs we've brought in and given a chance during Coughlin's tenure. Maybe not the most impressive group when you first look at it, but Boley and Mitchell both contributed to Super Bowl Runs.
JW hasn't made a play in 2 years...
Paysinger thinks he can play....
WE have not seen MCClain make one play in a Giant uniform....
A fifth round linebacker will start and be a wunderkind....
The linebackers are truly back.....
And to think I almost forgot Herzlich....
If only Deossie could play linebacker like he does long snapper....
I just wasn't sure if this was the beat reporters getting a hard on for Kennard because of what TC said of him, or if he was actually performing at a high level in camp. I haven't paid attention to the camp tweets as of late, but I do remember the media jumping hard on the bandwagon once TC gave him praise. As I've said though, from the Connor tweet it seems like the praise is warranted. Appreciate you giving your take on his performance thus far as well.
The idea should absolutely be to upgrade Paysinger, Herzlich, and Rivers. But at first glance I just don't think him surpassing them says all that much. In a perfect world all 3 of those guys should be special teamers.
OF COURSE Williams and Paysinger were mediocre in college, or they wouldn't have been a late round pick and UDFA, respectively. OF COURSE Beason was just so-so at Carolina, or we wouldn't have gotten him for a seventh round pick. OF COURSE McClain comes over with questions attached to him. OF COURSE Kennard is a mid-round pick with lots to prove.
What Schwartz is saying is that based upon his observations in his role as a long-time football sportswriter and frequent critic of the Giants personnel:
1) Beason proved himself as the real deal; the idea the he looked good because everyone else was awful is utter nonsense;
2) McClain has looked strong enough in practices so far to be a full-time starter (he was back in one day after the foot injury--holy overreactions, Batman);
3) In HIS VIEW Paysinger and Williams are performing like solid, experienced professionals, with Paysinger having grown into a full-blown linebacker's body, which he didn't have when he joined the team;
4) IN HIS VIEW Kennard has had a very strong start to his first training camp; and
5) When you put all of that together, you have the makings of a strong aggregate LB squad for the first time in many years.
Don't agree? Fine. However "no they don't" doesn't come across as a strong, insightful rebuttal. Or even a rebuttal.
OF COURSE Williams and Paysinger were mediocre in college, or they wouldn't have been a late round pick and UDFA, respectively. OF COURSE Beason was just so-so at Carolina, or we wouldn't have gotten him for a seventh round pick. OF COURSE McClain comes over with questions attached to him. OF COURSE Kennard is a mid-round pick with lots to prove.
What Schwartz is saying is that based upon his observations in his role as a long-time football sportswriter and frequent critic of the Giants personnel:
1) Beason proved himself as the real deal; the idea the he looked good because everyone else was awful is utter nonsense;
2) McClain has looked strong enough in practices so far to be a full-time starter (he was back in one day after the foot injury--holy overreactions, Batman);
3) In HIS VIEW Paysinger and Williams are performing like solid, experienced professionals, with Paysinger having grown into a full-blown linebacker's body, which he didn't have when he joined the team;
4) IN HIS VIEW Kennard has had a very strong start to his first training camp; and
5) When you put all of that together, you have the makings of a strong aggregate LB squad for the first time in many years.
Don't agree? Fine. However "no they don't" doesn't come across as a strong, insightful rebuttal. Or even a rebuttal.
Eh. I believe in a healthy Jacquian Williams. Always been a big fan of his, so I'll buy that. But as of now, McClain is a below average starter. The tape on McClain's performance last year is out there, and it ain't pretty. There's rumblings that he was battling injuries, but still. I won't comment on Kennard because I've literally never seen him play a snap of football in my life.
If Schwartz said something like "LB position no longer the weak link" I wouldn't care to argue that. But it's rather egregious to call this squad, at this point in time, a strength. It simply is not even close to a strength.
This comes off more as him trying to hit his quota for the week of dishing out articles rather than him genuinely believing this unit is a strength.
Thats the big question on him.